can you boil bacon in soup

Can You Boil Bacon in Soup? A Complete Guide

Bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor punch to soups that is hard to beat. But to fully reap the benefits, it’s vital to know the right way to add it. A common question is: can you boil bacon in soup? The short answer is yes, you can boil bacon directly in soup to infuse flavor. However, proper technique is key.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to boil bacon in soup successfully. From optimal boiling times to different cooking methods you’ll learn pro tips to take your bacon soup game to the next level. Let’s dive in!

The Benefits of Boiling Bacon in Soup
First, why add bacon to soup in the first place? Here are some of the main benefits:

• Adds smoky, savory flavor that enhances many soups.

• Provides a salty umami kick that heightens the overall taste.

• Contributes crisp, meaty texture for more body and contrast.

• Infuses the broth with bacon fat for a rich, velvety mouthfeel.

• Elevates flavor of ingredients like beans, potatoes, greens.

• Brings out sweetness in soups with carrots, onions corn.

• Bacon grease helps emulsify and thicken creamy soups.

Boiling is a simple way to impart all these attributes without extra pans to clean. But it must be done properly to avoid undercooked or overly mushy bacon.

Choosing the Right Bacon
Not all bacon is created equal when it comes to boiling. Consider these factors:

• Thickness – Thinner bacon cooks faster. Thick cuts hold up better to boiling.

• Smokiness – Heavily smoked bacon can become overpowering with prolonged boiling. Go easy on smoky flavor.

• Meat Content – Bacon with higher meat content will have better texture once boiled.

• Precooking – Precooked bacon needs less time, imparting mainly flavor.

Popular choices like center-cut, applewood smoked, or lower sodium bacon all work well. Ultimately, bacon choice depends on the soup style and your preferences.

Pre-Cooking Bacon for Soup
Many chefs advocate pre-cooking bacon before adding it to soup. Here’s why:

• Cooks more evenly – No underdone fatty spots or dry, overcooked pieces.

• Can better control texture – Fry or bake to desired crispiness.

• Allows fat render and removal – Results in a less greasy soup.

• Intensifies flavor – Browning enhances natural taste.

• Adds textural contrast – Mix soft and crisp bacon in the soup.

• Easy to portion – Chop, crumble, or keep in strips.

• Time saver – Shorter simmer in the soup required.

Pre-cooking does create extra steps and clean-up. But benefits like boosted flavor and customized texture may be worth it for ultimate bacon soup.

How Long to Boil Bacon in Soup?
Bacon requires sufficient simmering to impart full flavor, become tender, and warm through. But too much boiling can make it rubbery. Ideal boiling times range from:

• Fresh bacon slices: 10-15 minutes
• Fresh chopped bacon: 8-12 minutes
• Pre-cooked bacon: Just 2-5 minutes

Adjust times based on thickness. Thin bacon boils faster. Also factor in the intensity of the boil itself. Lower, lazy simmers need longer.

For safety, it’s critical fully cooked any raw pork to an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.

Oven-Safe Bacon Soup Techniques
When using oven-safe soup crocks, bacon can be cooked right in the broth. Try these oven bacon soup prep tips:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.

• Line bottom of the crock with raw bacon slices or lardons.

• Add aromatics like onions, garlic, celery.

• Pour in broth then ingredients like beans or veggies.

• Top with more bacon slices or chopped bacon.

• Cover crock and bake soup for 60-90 minutes.

The low, slow oven cooking tenderizes the bacon perfectly. Its fat also enriches the soup.

Slow Cooker Bacon Soup Methods
Got a set-it-and-forget crockpot? Here are tips for infusing bacon flavor into slow cooker soups:

• Add chopped pre-cooked bacon at the end for a quick flavor boost.

• Use rendered bacon fat to sauté aromatics and vegetables first.

• Mix crumbled bacon into beans or veggies before adding to the slow cooker.

• Layer bacon slices on top of ingredients to cook low and slow.

• Use smoked turkey or pork stock along with bacon bones for a smoky depth.

• Garnish finished soup with crumbled bacon just before serving.

The key is avoiding adding raw bacon too early. The long cook time can make it mealy in texture.

Quick Stovetop Bacon Soup Techniques
When short on time, use these methods to add bacon flavor to soups cooked on the stovetop:

• Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in rendered bacon fat for a flavor foundation.

• Crumble pre-cooked bacon into the pot along with beans, stock, and seasonings.

• Wrap ingredients like chopped potatoes or cheese in partially cooked bacon slices before adding to the soup.

• Twirl strips of raw bacon around cooked tortellini or pasta before adding to the pot.

• Garnish each bowl with freshly fried bacon bits for crispy texture.

• Add a splash of bacon fat to the pot along with cream to make a smooth, creamy soup base.

With smart preparation, even quick soups can benefit from bacon’s signature taste.

Maximizing Flavor Release

To get the most bacon flavor infusion into soup, consider these tips:

• Use bacon fat for sautéing aromatics like onion and garlic first.

• Combine different bacon types like peppered, maple, or turkey.

• Add a Parmesan rind or bacon bone to simmer along with the bacon.

• Sprinkle a bacon-flavored seasoning (but go easy) into the broth.

• Mix in a splash of liquid smoke but don’t overdo it.

• Finish the soup with a bacon fat roux or bacon grease.

• Garnish bowls with extra crumbled bacon.

Layering bacon flavors extracts the most savory goodness.

Bacon Soups to Try

Ready to put your newfound bacon boiling skills to work? Here are some delicious soup recipes to try:

• Loaded Baked Potato Soup – Potatoes, bacon, cheddar – comfort food heaven!

• Creamy Tomato Soup – Tart tomatoes with bacon’s salty flavor is a match made in heaven.

• Bean and Bacon Stew – Earthy beans gain a smoky depth.

• Bacon Corn Chowder – Sweet corn and potatoes pair perfectly with bacon.

• Bacon-Wrapped Tortellini Soup – Fun twist on classic Italian soup.

• Clam Chowder – Bacon adds to the traditional seafood flavor.

• Broccoli Cheese Soup – Bacon adds crunch to creamy, cheesy base.

• Cabbage Soup – Caraway seeds and bacon accent the cabbage.

The options are endless! Just about every soup benefits from proper bacon additions.

Tips for Crispy Bacon Bits

Looking to top your soup with ultra crispy, crunchy bacon bits? Follow these tips:

• Start with bacon sliced thin and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Thinner bacon gets crisper.

• Lay bacon flat in a cold skillet then turn heat to medium-low. This prevents curling.

• Cook low and slow, stirring occasionally, until uniformly crispy.

• Drain on paper towels before sprinkling over soup.

• For even crispier bits, bake chopped bacon on a sheet pan at 400°F, tossing once.

• For grease-free bacon, bake strips on a rack over a sheet pan to allow fat to drip off.

• Microwave bacon between paper towels for a quick crisp-up once drained.

Crispy bacon bits add fantastic crunch and flavor contrast to liven up any bowl of soup!

Storing Bacon Soup

Bacon soup is best fresh but leftovers can be stored:

• In fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

• In freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

• Let cool completely before storing to prevent bacteria growth.

• To freeze, portion into airtight containers leaving 1/2 inch headspace for expansion.

For maximum flavor and texture, aim to enjoy bacon soups soon after making. But with proper storage, leftovers can still be delightful.

Avoiding Common Bacon Soup Mistakes

Steer clear of these all-too-common bacon soup blunders:

• Undercooked bacon from too short a boiling time. Always ensure bacon is fully cooked.

• Limp, mushy texture from over-boiling the bacon into oblivion.

• Greasy soup from adding too much raw bacon or not draining pre-cooked bacon before adding.

• Burned bacon flavors from cooking over too high heat. Maintain a gentle simmer.

• Curling bacon slices from direct high heat rather than a slow render.

• Tough, chewy bacon from using thick cuts better suited for baking or grilling.

Mastering the art of boiling bacon for soup does come with a learning curve. But a bit of care will help you avoid common pitfalls.

FAQ – Bacon Soup Questions

Get answers to some commonly asked questions about cooking bacon in soup:

1. Does the bacon need to be crispy in soup?

Not necessarily. It can be. But soft, pliable texture also works well and may better hold up to boiling. The key is fully cooking any raw bacon until no pink remains.

1. Is it safe to boil raw bacon in soup?

Yes, as long as the bacon is then simmered long enough to cook through fully – at least 10-15 minutes for sliced bacon. Always check internal temperature.

1. How can I cut down on the greasiness?

Start with a leaner bacon or cook bacon first to render out some fat before adding to the soup. Cool and drain cooked bacon on paper towels before adding to absorb grease.

1. Should I use smoked or regular bacon?

That depends on your preference! Smoked bacon packs a bigger flavor punch. For milder soups, regular bacon is a safer bet. You can also use half smoked, half regular.

1. How small should bacon be chopped for soup?

Around 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces is ideal for balanced flavor and texture distribution in soup. Avoid bacon bits that are too small.

1. Can I make soup ahead with bacon?

Yes! Prepare soup fully then cool quickly. Refrigerate in air-tight containers up to 4 days ahead. Gently reheat to preserve bacon texture.

1. How can I use turkey bacon instead?

Swap in an equal amount of turkey bacon by browning first in a skillet for added flavor. Add near the end of cooking since it requires less time to cook through.

Boiling Bacon Soup Up Right

Bacon soup has never been easier now that you know how to perfectly boil bacon for maximum flavor, texture, and safety. From choosing the ideal bacon to nailing cooking times, use these pro tips and tricks to start rocking rasher-infused soups. Just beware – once you become a bacon soup aficionado, there’s no going back to boring un-embellished bowls! Let the bacon simmering begin.